Safety belt



Feb. 11, 19,36.

C.C.KAUFFMAN SAFETY BELT Filed March 14, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 11,1936. KAUFFMAN 2,030,172

SAFETY BELT Filed March 14, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A; Inventor AttomeyFeb. 11, 1936.

c. c. KAUFFMAN 2,030,172

SAFETY .BELT

Filed March 14, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor I C flaw/477a mama/0wAttomey Patented'F'eb. n, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an ingenious safety signalling accessory forpersonal use expressly constructed to be worn 'by persons in all walksof life who are continuously subjected to the dangers and-hazards oftraflic accidents, though it is specifically constructed for use bytrafllc omcers and others employed in similar lines of endeavor onhighways, city streets and the like.

Although the invention may be reduced to practice and utilized in someother structural form than that hereinafter described, the preferredembodiment thereof is in the nature of a belt, such as for example, oneof the so-called "Sam Browne style.

As reflected from and implied in the preceding paragraph, it is myprimary aim to embody the features of the invention in a conventionaltype of belt structure, whereby to permit it to be'worn for regularadornment and utility by day and then converted, through theinstrumentality of certain reversible features into a safety signallingbelt during periods of darkness. 7

I have found it expedient and practicable to accomplish what I desirethrough the adoption and use of a plurality of prismatic reflectors orbuttons, these being employed in groups and so constructed and arrangedas to permit them to be positioned at night to reflect tramc lights as asafety and precautionary measure, and readily reversed and concealedduring ordinary daytime duty.

The preferred embodiment of the invention whereby these results arecapable of satisfactory accomplishment will become more readily apparentfrom the following drawings and complementary explanation.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate likedetails throughout the ewe:

Figure 1 is what may be designated as a rear elevational view showing abelt of the aforementioned type and illustrating the plurality of safetyreflectors in position for use. p

Figure 2 is a front elevational view, that is observing Figure 1 fromtheside diametrically opposite to that depicted in said Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view like Figure 1 showing how thereversibleportions orsections of the belt may be turned or reversed so that the light rayreflectors are turned to an out of the way and concealed position.

Figure '4 is a section on the horizontal line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view partly in section and partly in plandisclosing the rear reversible section and emphasizing the specificconstruction and mounting of the glass or other type'refiectors.

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective of the swivel coupling means utilizedbetween the relatively turnable portions or sections of the belt.

Figure '7 is a view detailing the swivel joint or connection.

By way of introduction it is to be pointed out that the invention, is,broadly in the nature ofa strap or other device of corresponding charmacteristics, since it would be possible to use it in the form of armbands, wristlets, collar, belt or the like. For purpose of demonstrationand illustration, the invention will be described as a belt of the nowused Sam Browne type, which is 1 being generally employed by traflicofllcers, patrol boys, boy scouts and the like.

Belts of the aforementioned type are of course provided with variousaccessories and adjuncts. In the drawings, however, I have merely shown20 the broad conception and here the body encircling belt, as a unit, isdenoted by the letter A. The shoulder strap is distinguished by thecharacter B. At its front, the belt A is provided with a buckle orequivalent fastener C for adjustment 25 purposes. In addition, anequivalent buckle or the like is indicated at D, this forming a part ofthe shoulder strap B. In accordance with the present conception, apredetermined section of the rear portion of the belt A is made as asepara- 30 ble turnable unit 8. This is provided with longitudinallyspaced reflector buttons 9. At its ends it is so connected with theadjacent end portions ill and H of the belt proper as to permit it to beturned from the operative position shown in Figure 1 to the reversednon-operating position shown in Figure 3. Utilizing the same principleof construction, the relatively movable part of the shoulder strap B hasits end portions l2 joined to the attaching tabs or straps [3 in such away as to permit this part to be reversed from the arrangement shown inFigure 1 to that illustrated in Figure 3. That is to say, it is alsoreversible. Specifically, it is desired that these reversibleconnections be in the form of swivel 5 joints. Each joint is the same inconstruction and a description of one will suffice for all. Under thecircumstances, I will simply refer to Figure 7, where it will be seenthat the strap ends which are joined together merely have the terminalsfolded over and stitched down to provide retaining pockets or sJ-calledkeepers it. These are disposed in spaced parallelism and are designed toaccommodate the special adapter loops or frames it. There are two ofthese in each jointing unit as 56 shown in Figure 6. They are duplicatesand each is formed from a single length of wire. The wire is bentbetween its ends into loop formation and is also bent as at It to forman eye. Thepomplemental eyes serve to accommodate a headed jointing pinII. The free ends of thewire are brouzht together as indicated at I! sothat they may be readily assembled and fastened in the keeper pockets M.This provides a simple and eifective swivel connection between thoseparts of the strap or belt which are susceptible of being relativelyturned or reversed as trafiic conditions dictate.

As far as the back section I is concerned, it is obvious that this canbe turned without removing the belt by simply grasping the opposite endsthereof and at the same time contracting the waist line sufilciently togive clearanceto allow it ure 1 or vice versa. This is an unusualadapta-,

tion which makes for practical and up to date usage. In fact, it is afeature indispensable in a belt of this type whether it is worn merelyas a safety belt or as a double acting accessory carrying and safetybelt. In other words, the invention is adaptable to belts Iwom primarilyfor decorative purposes or solely for utilitarian purposes.

The reflectors 9 may be of varied types. It might be possible to usemirrors but it has been found more practical to use either laminated orprismatic red glass convex disks. Referring to Figure 5 for example, thedisk or button proper indicated at 9 is mounted in a metal cup is andthe cup has a headed shank 20 which passes through the strap and issecurely anchored in place by way of a washer or the like 2|. The headedwasher equipped end gives the appearance of a rivet when turned to theposition disclosed, for example, in Figure 3; In keeping with a desireto provide a safety traffic signalling device for personal use to warnmotorists of the presence on poorly lighted streets of traffic ofilcersand the like, it is believed that the invention herein described andperfected for the purpose is an un equalled achievement in this line ofendeavor. I am particularly enthusiastic about the idea of being able tokeep the belt in place when it is once adjusted during the daytime forexample, and thereafter simply reversing one of the parts thereof tobring into play the ever-present trafilc directing buttons. In congestedtrafllc areas, especially in the larger cities during fires and otheremergency conditions, it is necessary for traffic policemen to appear onthe streets at unexpected spots. Frequently, this not only imperils thelife of the ofilcer, but promotes perplexity and confusion to drivers'of automobiles thus caught unawares. It is submitted, therefore, thatthe discovery is in the nature of an innovation, will fulfill therequirements of the invention and is someaosomathingwhichmeasuresuptothemerit expectedin a safety accessory of thistype.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain Minor changes in shape, size andrearrangement or details coming within the field of invention claimedmay be resorted to 'in actual practice, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: l. In'aconstruction of the class described, a body encircling belt providedwith an adjusting and retaining buckle, a predetermined section of saidbelt being separated from the adjacent end portions of the body of thebelt, swivel coupling means joining the ends of said section to theadjacent ends of the body portion to render said section tumable, saidsection being provided on one face with a row of safety reflectors.

2. In a belt assemblage of the class described, in combination, a bodyencircling belt including a swivelly mounted tumable section provided onone side with a plurality of light reflectors, and a complementalshoulder strap, the end portions of said shoulder strap being swivellyconnected with said body encircling belt, and a plurality of reflectorsmounted on one face of the shoulder strap at predetermined points,whereby to permit the reflectors on the shoulder strap and refectors onthe turnable section of the body encircling belt to be adjusted for use,or turned inwardly against the body of the wearer when not in use.

3. A safety promotion accessory of the type described primarily adaptedfor personal wear and embodying a body encircling belt fashioned toembrace a predetermined portion of the body of the wearer, theconnectible ends of said belt being provided with quickly separablefastening means, the intermediate portion of said belt embodyinga.pivotally mounted rotatable section susceptible of being rotatedwithout removing the belt from the body of the wearer, and a pluralityof light ray reflecting elements mounted on one face of said rotatablesection,

4. A safety belt of the class described comprising a relativelystationary main section including complemental body encircling portionsseparably 7 connected together at adjacent corresponding

